Stage 1 of the Ausangate Circuit covers 13.1 km from Tinki to Upis, with 702 m of ascent and 52 m of descent. The highest point is 4,425 m. Allow about 6 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Family cabin at the Upis campsite offering a few beds to trekkers (mapped on OSM as "beds in Domingo's cabaña"); very basic, bring your own sleeping bag. Not confirmed online, so carry a tent anyway.
Community campsite on the valley floor at about 4,400 m, below the north face of Ausangate, with toilets, a shelter and small hot springs (about S/5 per person). Families may charge a small camping fee; the dirt road from Tinki now ends about 3 km before it.
Small hostel on the dirt road from Tinki to Upis, about 6.7 km into stage 1 and on the trail, useful if you arrive late from Cusco and want to split the first day. Listed on OpenStreetMap only.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "not confirmed by the operator" are listed on OpenStreetMap or in hiker reports but could not be checked on an official page. Between Upis and Pacchanta there are only campsites at 4,400-4,700 m, so carry a 4-season tent and a warm sleeping bag. Local families often charge a small fee to camp: pay in cash, in soles.
Emergency: call 105 (police) or 106 (ambulance). Carry a satellite messenger. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.